His Majesty King Abdullah II
His Majesty King
Abdullah II's Remarks
during the Closing Session of "We are all Jordan" Forum
July 27, 2006
In the Name of God, the Most
Merciful, the Compassionate
Dear Brothers,
May God grant you good health.
I am happy about the great achievement that has been made over these two days,
and proud of the team spirit and sense of responsibility that prevailed over
this forum. It has been a major reason for its success.
From the beginning, the objective of this forum was the achievement of a
national consensus on unchangeable established principles, coming up with a
comprehensive unified vision, defining the themes that we should prioritize in
implementation, and agreement on the continuation of our serious, devoted work
to realize this vision and goal, through the implementation of priorities, one
by one.
The dangers and conflicts that I have warned about during our previous meetings
are now before us, on the ground. To cope with regional and sectarian conflicts,
we must strengthen and consolidate our internal front. All of us should work as
one hand and one heart in confronting these dangers, by preserving our national
unity, which is today at the top of our national priorities. I want everyone to
know that our preoccupation with our national causes will not be at the expense
of our commitment to our nationalistic and historic responsibilities toward our
brethren in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq; this is a natural continuation of our
role as Hashemites throughout history.
I have worked for a long time, and I am still working to find a unified Arab
stance concerning these challenges and dangers that now encircle this nation, so
that the Arab role in the region will not be marginalized, thus curtailing all
of our capabilities to extend support and assistance to our brothers in
Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon.
Now we have one vision of what we hope to realize, over the next period, in the
political, economic and social fields.
In the political field, there is agreement on the preservation of national
unity, on enhancing the concept of Jordan as a country that reflects the
moderate, mainstream Islam, believes in peace, coexistence, tolerance and
intellectual and political pluralism, on inclusion in decision-making and
building civil society institutions including national political parties that
are capable of nurturing and consolidating the concept of national belonging and
the importance of productive and efficient work.
Everybody should know that our aim is clear, and that there is no disagreement
over it, except, perhaps as to mechanisms, ways and means to realize it.
In the economic and social fields, there is agreement and unanimity on realizing
our people's ambitions for a free, dignified life, and on the importance of
providing opportunities for youth, for work, creativity and production.
Now, it is time for work, follow-up and achievement.
At the beginning, the government should lead this process, and I am sure that it
will begin drafting the relevant laws and policies in accordance with the
priorities you have agreed on. I am also sure that Parliament will be
responsible and efficient in finalizing the draft laws presented by the
government to the next extraordinary session.
Other institutions - parties, professional associations, the media, the private
sector and the rest of the civil society institutions - will also be guided by
this national unanimity, and will play their roles in work and achievement.
I want to assure you that this spirit of cooperative work will continue in the
future and that the immutable principles, on which there was consensus among
you, will be the basis of all of our work.
In response to your request, a commission will be set up that includes
representatives from government institutions and civil society. The We Are All
Jordan Commission will be an advisory body whose work will not transgress that
of our constitutional institutions, which I am the most keen to protect along
with our Constitution. This advisory body will present periodical reports on the
work being done and measure progress.
It is my hope that the deputies in particular, being the representatives of all
our citizens, will convey to those who elected them, and to their constituents,
everything that has taken place here, and everything that we do, whether for our
people and homeland, or for our nation and our Arab brethren.
Again, I am proud of what has been achieved in this forum, and of the unanimity
that was realized concerning the need to confront all forms of violence and
terrorism, to adhere to the truth of Islam, which calls for peace, tolerance,
mercy and respect for humanity, and every individual's right to live in freedom,
dignity and security.
May God bless you all, and may God grant you good health; God willing, we will
keep in touch.